Carton feeding device



8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 27, 1959 mmm qmm

INVENTOR ROBERT K. GALLOWAY OF WNW. Nmm i ATTORNEY A ril 24, 1962 R. K.GALLOWAY 3,

CARTON FEEDING DEVICE Filed Oct. 27, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTORROBERT K. GALLOWAY ATTORNEY April 24, 1962 R. K. GALLOWAY CARTON FEEDINGDEVICE 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 27, 1959 mvsm'on ROBERT K. GALLOWAYBY 16w OPN VQN @WN ATTORNEY April 24, 1962 R. K. GALLOWAY CARTON FEEDINGDEVICE 8 I Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 27, 1959 OmhN Q WN m @N Nmm ATTORNEY April 24, 1962 R. K. GALLOWAY CARTON FEEDING DEVICE 8 Sheets-Sheet6 Filed Oct. 2'7, 1959 INVENTOR ROBERT K. GALLOWAY By M 3 Z:J.

ATTORNEY April 24, 1962 R. K. GALLOWAY CARTON FEEDING DEVICE 8Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Oct. 27, 1959 INVENTOR ROBERT K. GALLOWAY ATTORNEYn- H um- H-hfil Omn April 24, 1962 R. K. GALLOWAY CARTON FEEDING DEVICEFiled Oct. 27, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR ROBERT K. GALLOWAY ATTORNUnited States 3,931,186 CARTON FEEDING DEVHJE Robert K. Galloway,Hoopeston, lll., assignor to FMC Corporation, a corporation of DelawareFiled Oct. 27, 1959, Ser. No. 843,987 16 Claims. (Cl. 27l--l2) Thepresent invention relates to a carton feeding device, and moreparticularly to a carton feeding device adaptable for use in thehandling of flat or collapsed cartons coated with wax or similarmaterial.

in the packaging of frozen foods or like materials, a reduction in thecost of the packaging material is realized when the cartons used are oflightweight construction or made of thinner material than is commonlyused in the frozen food packaging processes. However, such lightweightcartons are less rigid than the commonly used cartons, and when removedfrom a supply stack by conventional devices, tend to separate from thestack two or more at a time. Further, such cartons are more fragile and,therefore, more susceptible to damage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a can ton feedingdevice adaptable for use in the feeding of lightweight cartons.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved gatemechanism for the magazine of a carton feeding device.

Another object is to provide a carton feeding device for lightweightcartons, which will feed cartons, one at a time, to a carton handlingmechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved gatemechanism operable in conjunction with a suction cup feeding mechanismwhich insures that the cartons will be fed one at a time from themagazine of the machine.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan of the carton feed mechanism of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken on lines 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section taken on lines 3-3 of FIG. 2, andparticularly illustrates the relationship between the suction cups andthe magazine gate mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken on lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an end elevation taken generally on lines 55 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective of the several elements which make up the gatemechanism for the carton magazine.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9, l0, and 11 are a series of schematic views illustratingthe cooperative relationship and actions of the carton magazine and gatemechanism and the suction cup feed mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view taken on lines l2-i2 of FIG. tomore particularly illustrate one of the relationships between the cartongate mechanism and the suction cup feed mechanism.

As shown in general in FIG. 1, the carton blank feeding mechanism of thepresent invention comprises a carton magazine A adapted to contain asupply of folded carton blanks, a movable gate mechanism B, and asuction cup mechanism C adapted to withdraw carton blanks one at a timefrom the magazine A and to deliver them to feed chains D, which in turnfeed the carton blanks in successive order to an accelerating mechanismE, which mechanism delivers the carton blank to any suitable receiver,such as a carton erecting mechanism (not shown).

The device of the present invention comprises a. bed or base plate 20(FIGS. 1 through 5) adapted to be supa ainst Patented Apr. 24, 19%2ported on suitable legs (not shown) or to be connected to the frame of asuitable carton erecting and filling mechanism (not shown). The magazineA comprises a bottom plate 22 fixed to the upper surface of the bedplate2t) and extending laterally therefrom. Two side plates 24 and 26 extendlaterally along but spaced above each side of the bottom plate 22 andare provided at their inner ends with brackets 28 and 30, respectively(FIG. 4), bolted to the upper surface of the bedplate by suitable bolts32 and 34, respectively. A rod 36 (FIGS. 1-4) is fixed to the uppersurface of the bottom plate 22 and extends longitudinally centrallythereof. The bottom plate 22 and the two side plates 24 and 26 togetherform an open-topped trough within which the stacked carton blanks to befed by the machine are placed. The carton blanks rest on edge on theupper surface of the rod 36 and are confined between the side Walls 24and 26.

The mechanism generally indicated 38 for feeding the carton blanksinwardly, or to the right as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a pairof brackets 40 and 42 fixed to the outer surface of the side plate 24,and a pair of guide rails 44 and 46 (FIGS. 1 and 4) extending paral- 161to the outer surface of the side plate 24 and fixed to the brackets 40and 42. A sliding block 50 is slidably mounted on the slide rails 44 and46 and carries a pair of pivotally mounted detent fingers 52 and 54-which are spring urged inwardly above and below the top and bottomedges, respectively, of the plate 24 and engage the outer surface of theoutermost carton blank in the stack.

A bracket 56 is fixed to the block 50 and extends inwardly therefromadjacent the upper surface of the bottom plate 22. A chain 58 is fixedto the inner end of the bracket 56 and extends along the upper surfaceof the bottom plate 22 to a point adjacent the inner end thereof. A slot60 is formed in the plate 22 adjacent the inner end thereof and asprocket 62 projects therethrough. The sprocket 62 is mounted forrotation on a shaft 64 fixed to a bracket 66 which in turn is fixed tothe under surface of the plate 22. The chain 58 is trained around thesprocket 62 and extends downwardly through a suitable opening 68 formedin the bedplate 20 and is connected at its lower end to a suitableweight 70. A similar carton blank advancing mechanism generallyindicated 72 is associated with the opposite side plate 25.

A stack of carton blanks can be placed within the magazine A behind thespring pressed fingers 52 and 54 of both stack advancing mechanisms 38and 72. The slide blocks are then retracted toward the outer end of themagazine A. As this occurs the spring pressed detent fingers ride alongthe side edges of the carton blanks until the slide blocks reach a pointwherein the fingers are beyond the outermost carton blank at which timethe spring fingers move inwardly so that when the slide blocks arereleased the action of the weights pulling downwardly on the chainsmoves the spring fingers into engagement with the outermost carton blankto urge the blank toward the right or inwardly of the machine. It willbe appreciated that with the use of two carton blank advancingmechanisms '38 and 72 associated with the magazine A, one of which actson each side of the stack of blanks, the stack will be advanceduniformly to the feeding station adjacent the gate mechanism B.

The gate mechanism B comprises a plate (FIGS. 1, 3, and 4) rigid withthe inner end of the side plate 26 of the magazine A and projectinginwardly therefrom a short distance to form a fixed lip or ledge 82which engages the innermost or leading carton blank in the stackadjacent one side edge thereof to retain the blank within the magazineA. The opposite side edge of the leading carton blank engages a movabledetent in the form of a lip 84 adjacent the inner end of the side plate24 (FIGS. 1 and 6). The movable lip 84 is mounted on an L- shaped arm 86which in turn is fixed to a vertical shaft 83, which shaft, as best seenin FIG. 4, is rotatably supported by the previously mentioned bracket 42fixed to the outer surface of the side plate 24. Oscillation of theL-shaped arm 86 to cause the movable lip 234 to move out of engagementwith the leading carton blank in the stack and to return to engage thenext succeeding carton blank after said leading blank has advancedbeyond the range of movement of the lip is effected through a mechanismwhich will be described hereinbelow. A jogger arm 90 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4)is fixed to the upper end of the shaft 88 and moves inwardly toward andoutwardly from the stack of advancing carton blanks as the shaft 88oscillates to jog the blanks in the stack into smooth alignment witheach other. It will be noted that plates 92 and 94 are fastened to theside plates 24 and 26, respectively, adjacent the gate assembly B, andthat plate 92 is provided with inwardly projecting longitudinallyextending ribs 96 whereby, in this zone of the magazine, the cartonblanks are confined in smooth alignment with each other to insure properregistration thereof with the stop lips 82. and 84 mentioned above.

The previously mentioned bracket 30, which supports the side plate 26 ofthe magazine, projects upwardly beyond the upper edge of said side plateand forwardly therefrom and is provided at its upper end with a hearingreceiving hub or boss, 100 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 5). The main drive shaft 102of the carton blank feeding mechanism is a vertically extending shaftwhich is rotatably mounted in the bearing received within the boss 100and within a similar bearing received within a suitable bearing boss 104formed on the upper surface of the bedplate 20 (FIG. 5). While themachine is in operation, the shaft 102 is constantly rotatedcounterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The plate 106 which supports the working parts of the carton blank feedmechanism extends across the inner or discharge end of the magazine Aand projects laterally therefrom to one side of the magazine. Thesupport plate 106 is provided with two bosses 108 and 110 adjacent oneof its ends which are mounted on, and supported by, the main drive shaft102. The outboard end of the support plate 106 is fixed to a bracket 112which in turn is fixed to the bedplate 20 (FIG. 5).

For purposes of convenience in the description which follows, the sideof the plate 106 which faces the magazine A will be termed the frontface of the plate and the opposite side will accordingly be termed therear face of the plate 106.

The outboard end of the support plate 106 is in the form of twovertically spaced bifurcated yokes 120 and 122, respectively ('FIG. 5).A hearing 124 (FIG. 1) is mounted in a block 126 slidably mountedbetween the legs of the upper yoke 120. The block 126 is positionedwithin the yoke 120 by a stud 12.8 fixed to the block 126 and projectingthrough a suitable opening in a cap member 130 fixed to the open end ofthe yoke 120 by capscrews 132. An adjusting nut 134 and a lock nut 136are threaded on the outer end of the stud 128. A similar bearing (notshown) is similarly mounted in the lower yoke 122.

A shaft 140 is rotatably mounted in the bearing 1 24 and a similarbearing (not shown) mounted in the lower yoke 122. Two vertically spacedsprockets 142 and 144 (FIGS. 2 and S) are fixed to the shaft 140.Similarly, two opposing sprockets 146 and 14% (FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5) arefixed to the drive shaft 102. An upper carton advancing chain D istrained around the sprockets 142 and 146. Similarly, a lower cartonadvancing chain D is trained around the sprockets 144 and 148.

The inner reach 150 of the upper carton advancing chain D travels withina suitable groove 152 (FIG. 2) formed in the front face of the supportplate 106 adjacent the upper edge thereof. Similarly, the inner reach154 of the lower carton advancing chain D travels within a similargroove 156 formed in the front face of the support plate 106 adjacentthe lower edge thereof. A plurality of carton engaging lugs 160 (FIG. 1)having forwardly projecting nose portions 161 are fixed to the uppercarton advancing chain D at spaced points therealong. Similar cartonengaging lugs 162 (FIG. 3), having forwardly projecting nose portions163, are fixed to the lower carton advancing chain D in opposition tothe lugs 160 on the upper chain D.

The vacuum cup assembly C comprises a slide shaft 2% (FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and5) extending parallel to the support plate 106 adjacent the back sidethereof and fixed between suitable brackets 202 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 5) and204 (FIG. 5). A slide block 206 is slidably mounted on the shaft 200. Anarm 208 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 5) fixed to the slide block 206 carries a camroller 210 received Within a cam groove 211 formed in the upper surfaceof a cam disc 21 2 fixed to the shaft 140. When the cam 212 rotates theslide block 206 reciprocates longitudinally of the support plate 106.

Two lateral bores are formed in the slide block 206, one above and onebelow the shaft 200, and two tubes 220 and 222, respectively (FIGS.1-3), are slidably mounted therein. The tubes 220 and 222 projectthrough openings 224 and 226 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5) formed in the supportplate 106 and are provided at their inner ends with suction cups 228 and230, respectively (FIGS. 3 and 4). The outer ends of the tubes 220 and222 are clamped by a clamp member 232 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5). The clamp23 2 is provided with two inwardly projecting vertically spaced arms 234and 236 (FIG. 2). A shaft 237 extends between the arms 234 and 236 andthrough a roller 238 which is freely rotatably thereon. The roller 238is received within an elongated slot 240 (FIG. 3) formed in one arm 242of a bell crank lever 244 rotatably mounted on a vertical shaft 246. Theshaft 246 is supported by two arms 248 and 250 (FIG. 5) fixed to thepreviously mentioned block 204. As best seen in FIG. 5 the bell cranklever 244 is provided with an elongated hub portion 252 to which isfixed in cam follower arm 254 (FIG. 3) which carries at its inner end acam follower roller 256 received in a suitable cam groove formed in theunderside of a cam disc 258 (FIG. 4) fixed to the shaft 140.

The other arm 260 (FIGS. 1 and 3) of the bell crank lever 244 isconnected by a link 262 to one end of a rocking lever 264 (FIGS. 1, 2and 4) fixed to a shaft 266 rotatably supported in two pillow blockbearings 268 and 270 (FIGS. 4 and 5) fixed to the outboard end of thesupport plate 106. The other end of the rocking lever 264 (FIGS. 1, 3and 4) is connected by a link 272 to the L-shaped arm 86, (FIGS. 1-4 and6) which effects operation of the movable lip 84 to release a singlecarton blank from the magazine A, as hereinbefore explained. As the camdisc 258 is rotated the bell crank lever 244 oscillates to move thesuction cups inwardly and outwardly and away from the carton magazine Aand at the same time, through the rocking lever 264 and the links 262and 272, moves the movable lip 84 inwardly and outwardly in conjunctionwith the movement of the suction cups toward and away from the magazine.

Two carton blank holding fingers 300 and 302 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 6) whichform part of the gate mechanism B, are clamped and keyed to a verticalshaft 304 rotatably carried by brackets 306 and 308 fixed to the yokeportions and 122, respectively, of the support plate 106. A cam followerarm 310 is fixed to the central portion of the shaft 304 and carries acam roller 312 received within the same cam groove 211 on the upper camdisc 212 that receives the slide block actuating roller 210. The upperfinger 300 is made in two parts, 320 and 322, respectively, heldtogether by bolts 324 which extend through slots 326 in the outer part320 and are threaded into the inner part 322, and the lower finger 302is of similar construction. Thus, the fingers may be lengthened orshortened within limits. The fingers 360 and 302 are oscillated towardand away from the discharge end of the magazine A by the cam 212 intimed relation to the movements of the movable lip 84 and the suctioncups 228 and 230.

The carton blank accelerating mechanism E (FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5) whichdischarges the carton blanks from the machine does so by seizing theleading edge of each successive carton blank as it is advanced laterallyfrom the discharge end of the magazine A by a pair of the lugs 160 and162 on the feed chains D, and rapidly accelerating the blank todisengage it from the lugs. The accelerating mechanism E comprises aspool 350 having upper and lower flanges 352 and 354, respectively. Thespool 350 is fixed to a vertical shaft 356 which is rotatably mounted ina bearing (not shown) received within a boss 358 (FIGS. 4 and 5) formedon the upper surface of the bedplate 20. The peripheral surfaces of theflanges 352 and 354 are grooved and rubber tire members 358 and 368,respectively, are mounted therein. It will be noted that the spool 350is eccentrically mounted on the shaft 356 whereby during one portion ofits revolution its periphery is moving at a faster linear speed thanduring another portion of its rotation.

Two discs 362 and 364 are mounted in opposition to the peripheralflanges 352 and 354, respectively, of the spool member 350. The upperdisc 362 is mounted between the arms of the bifurcated end portion of anarm 366 the other end of which is pivotally mounted on the support plate106. A spring 368 urges the arm 366 to rotate so that the disc 362 is incontact with the rubber tire 358 on the periphery of the upper flange352 of the spool member 358. The lower disc 364 is similarly mounted onan arm 370 which in turn is pivotally mounted on the support plate 106and is provided with a spring 372 which urges the lower disc 364 intocontact with the rubber tire 360 on the lower flange 354 of the spool35a.

The shaft 356 is driven by a chain 380 (FIG. 5) which engages a sprocket382 fixed to the shaft 356. The chain 380 is driven by any suitablesource of power (not shown).

A gear 384 (FIG. 5) is fixed to the shaft 356 for rotation therewith andmeshes with a gear 386 which is freely rotatable on the main drive shaft102. A clutch indicated at 388 is adapted when engaged to drive theshaft 182. Since the clutch 388 is engageable only in one positionrelative to the gear 386, and since the drive shaft 102 drives all ofthe elements of the machine other than the carton accelerating mechanismE, it will be noted that whenever the clutch 388 is engaged the variouselements will operate in proper timed relation with each other.

A cam 39% (FIG. 5) is fixed to the main drive shaft 102. and actuates acam follower roller 392 carried by an arm 384 which is part of a vacuumcontrol valve 396 (FIGS. 2 and 5). The vacuum control valve 396 isconnected by a conduit 398 to any suitable source of vacuum and byconduits 408 and 452 to the suction cups 228 and 230, respectively.

In the operation of the device an operator places a stack of foldedcarton blanks in the magazine A and moves the stack advancing units 38and '72 outwardly so that the fingers thereon engage the outer end ofthe stack to urge the stack inwardly toward the gate mechanism B. Theinnermost carton blank will rest against the ledge 82 and the movablelip 84. The operator then engages the clutch 388 to place the machine inoperation.

The various actions of the several elements during the operation of themachine is best illustrated in the series of diagrammatic views 7through 12 and will be described in conjunction therewith.

In FIG. 7 it will be noted that the stack of carton blanks X is restingwith one edge of the innermost carton blank resting on the ledge 82adjacent the side wall 26 and with the opposite edge of the carton blankresting on the movable lip 84 adjacent the plate 92 which forms part ofthe side wall 24 of the magazine. The suction cups 228 and 230 are intheir most retracted position, that is, their position furthest awayfrom the carton magazine A and in their rearmost position with respectto the direction of travel of the carton blank advancing runs of thechains D. The fingers 300 and 302 are in their retracted positions.

In FIG. 8 it will be noted that the suction cup 228 has advancedslightly in the direction of movement of the carton blank advancing runsof the chains D and has been projected inwardly toward the stack X.Similarly the finger 308* has started to rotate inwardly toward thestack X.

In FIG. 9 the suctioncup 228 is in its innermost position and has movedthe edge of the stack associated with the movable lip 84 a shortdistance to the left as viewed in FIG. 9, i.e., back into the magazine.The finger 300 is also in its innermost position and the movable lip 84has been retracted from in front of the stack of carton blanks X.

Hereinafter the edges of the carton blanks adjacent the movable lip 84will be called the rear edges thereof since these are the edges thatwill trail when the blanks are subsequently advanced by the feed chainsD.

In FIG. 10 the suction cup 228 has moved outwardly to how the centralportion of the rear edge of the carton blank outward beyond the plane ofthe movable lip 84 while the fingers 380 and 362 retain the top andbottom edges of the rearmost portion of the carton blank in theirposition substantially coplanar with the inner surface of the movablelip 84 in the manner best illustrated in FIG. 12. In this stage of theoperation the movable lip 84 has been moved back to its originalposition and projects between the innermost carton blank and the nextcarton blank in the stack X.

The fingers 380 now rotate back to their original position so that theinnermost carton returns to its planar relation. The suction cups 228continue their outward movement and simultaneously are moved rearwardlywith respect to the direction of movement of the inner reach 156 of thecarton advancing chain D to drag the forward edge of the innermostcarton blank rearwardly and to release it from the stationary ledge 82and to insert the rear edge of the innermost carton blank beneath theforwardly projecting nose portions 161 and 163 of a pair of the lugs 160and 162, respectively, carried by the two feed chains D.

As soon as the rear edge of the carton blank is engaged by a pair of thelugs 160 and 162, the cam. 390 on the main drive shaft 182 actuates thevacuum valve 396 to cut off the source of vacuum from. the suction cups228 and 230 and vent the same to atmosphere so that they release thecarton blank which is then advanced by the chains D to the cartonaccelerating mechanism E as shown in FIG. 11.

As soon as the forward edge of the carton blank engages in the nipbetween the flanges flanges 352 and 354 on the spool 350 and the twoopposing discs 362 and 364, the carton blank is accelerated so that itis withdrawn from beneath the forwardly projecting nose portions 161 and163 of the lugs 168 and 162, and is advanced by the carton acceleratingmechanism and delivered to carton erecting mechanism or other receiver(not shown).

While the mechanism has been described herein with respect to cartonblanks which are disposed vertically with the stack extendinghorizontally, it is equally applicable to feeding folded carton blankswhich are disposed horizontally in a vertical magazine. When used forfeeding cartons disposed horizontally, it would be rotated from itsarrangement illustrated in the drawings so that the carton magazineprojects vertically upwardly. When so used, a gravity feed for thecar-ton magazine can be relied on and the carton stack advancingmechanisms 38 and 72 maybe dispensed with.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it should be noted that various changes may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

The invention having thus been described, what is claimed and desired tobe secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a carton blank feeding machine, a magazine, a fixed ledge adaptedto contact a carton blank in said magazine and support one edge of theblank, a movable lip adapted to contact the central portion of theopposite edge of said carton blank, carton blank engaging fingersadapted to be moved into engagement with said carton blank adjacent saidopposite edge thereof on opposite sides of said movable lip, a suctioncup movable toward and away from said magazine and adapted to grip acentral portion of the carton blank adjacent said opposite edge thereof,and means for actuating said elements in timed relation with each otherto effect removal of the carton blank from said magazine.

2. In a carton blank feeding machine, a magazine, a fixed ledge adaptedto contact a carton blank in said magazine and support one edge of theblank, a movable lip adapted to contact the central portion of theopposite edge of said carton blank, carton blank engaging fingersadapted to be rotated into engagement with the carton blank adjacentsaid opposite edge thereof on opposite sides of said movable lip, cartonadvancing chains mounted adjacent said magazine for movement laterallythereof, a plurality of carton blank engaging lugs on said chains inopposed relation with each other, a suction cup movable toward and awayfrom said magazine and adapted to grip the central portion of saidinitial carton blank adjacent said opposite edge thereof, and means foractuating said elements in timed relation with each other to elfectsuccessive removal of the carton blank from said magazine and engagementthereof with an opposed pair of the lugs on said chains.

3. In a carton blank feeding machine, a magazine, a fixed ledge adaptedto contact a carton blank in said magazine and support one edge of theblank, a movable lip adapted to contact the central portion of theopposite edge of said carton blank, a pair of carton blank engagingfingers adapted to be rotated into engagement with the carton blankadjacent said opposite edge thereof on opposite sides of said movablelip, a pair of carton blank advancing chains mounted adjacent saidmagazine for movement laterally thereof, a plurality of carton blankengaging lugs on each of said chains in opposed relation with eachother, a suction cup movable toward and away from said magazine andadapted to grip the central portion of the carton blank adjacent saidopposite edge thereof, means for actuating said elements in timedrelation with each other to effect successive removal of the cartonblank from said magazine and engage the rear edge of the blank with anopposed pair of the lugs on said chains, and means for releasing thesuction in said suction cup when the rear edge of the carton blankengages said lugs.

4. In a carton blank feeding machine, a magazine, a fixed ledge adaptedto contact a first carton blank in said magazine and support one edge ofsaid blank, a movable lip adapted to contact the central portion of theopposite edge of said carton blank, a pair of carton blank engagingfingers adapted to be rotated into engagement with said carton blankadjacent said opposite edge thereof on opposite sides of said movablelip, a suction cup mounted for movement toward and away from themagazine and for lateral movement relative to the magazine and adaptedto grip a central portion of said carton blank adjacent said oppositeedge thereof, means for connecting said suction cup to a source ofvacuum, and means for actuating said elements in timed relation witheach other to effect successive removal of said carton blank from saidmagazine by advancing the suction cup toward the magazine to engage andgrip said carton blank, rotating said fingers 0 into engagement withsaid carton blank, retracting the movable lip, withdrawing the suctioncup to how the rear edge of said carton blank, moving the movable lipinto the spaced between said carton blank and a succeeding carton blank,retracting said fingers, and moving the suction cup rearwardly towithdraw the front edge of said first carton blank from said fixedledge.

5. In a carton blank feeding machine, a magazine, a fixed ledge adaptedto support the forward edge of a first carton blank in said magazine, amovable lip adapted to support the rear edge of said carton blank, apair of carton blank engaging fingers adapted to be rotated intoengagement with the rear edge of said carton blank on opposite sides ofsaid movable lip, a pair of carton blank advancing chains mountedadjacent said magazine for movement laterally thereof, a plurality ofcarton blank engaging lugs mounted on said chains in opposing relationwith each other, means for driving said chains, a suction cup mountedfor movement toward and away from the magazine and for lateral movementrelative to the same and adapted to grip the central portion of saidcarton blank adjacent the rear edge thereof, means for connecting saidsuction cup to a source of vacuum, and means for actuating said elementsin timed relation with each other to effect successive removal of saidcarton blank from the magazine by advancing the suction cup toward themagazine to engage and grip said carton blank, rotating the fingersinwardly into engagement with said carton blank, retracting the movablelip, withdrawing the suction cup to boW the rear edge of said cartonblank, moving said movable lip into the space between said first cartonblank and a succeeding carton blank, retracting the fingers, and movingthe suction cup rearwardly to withdraw the front edge of said firstcarton blank from said fixed ledge and to engage the rear edge of saidfirst carton blank with an opposed pair of the lugs on said chains.

6. In a carton blank feeding machine, a magazine, a fixed ledge adaptedto support the forward edge of a first carton blank in said magazine, amovable lip adapted to support the rear edge of said carton blank, apair of carton blank engaging fingers adapted to be rotated intoengagement with the rear edge of said carton on opposite sides of saidmovable lip, a pair of carton blank advancing chains mounted adjacentsaid magazine for movement laterally thereof, a plurality of cartonblank engaging lugs mounted on said chains in opposed relation with eachother, a suction cup mounted for movement toward and away from themagazine and for lateral movement relative thereto and adapted to gripthe central portion of the rear edge of said initial carton blank, meansfor connecting said suction cup to a source of vacuum, means foractuating said elements in timed relation with each other to effectsuccessive removal of said carton blank from said magazine by advancingsaid suction cup toward the magazine to engage and grip said cartonblank, rotating said fingers inwardly into engagement with said cartonblank, retracting the movable lip, withdrawing the suction cup to bowthe rear edge of said carton blank, moving the movable lip into thespace between said first carton blank and a succeeding carton blank,retracting said fingers, and moving the suction cup rearwardly towithdraw the front edge of said first carton blank from said fixed ledgeand engaging the rear edge of said first carton blank with an opposedpair of the lugs on said chains, and means for releasing the vacuum inthe suction cup and venting the same to atmosphere when the rear edge ofsaid first carton blank engages said lugs.

7. In a carton blank feeding machine, a magazine, a fixed ledge adaptedto contact and support the forward edge of a carton blank in saidmagazine, a movable lip adapted to contact and support the rear edge ofsaid carton blank, a pair of carton blank engaging fingers adapted to berotated into engagement with said carton blank on opposite sides of saidmovable lip, a suction cup mounted for movement toward and away fromsaid magazine and for forward and rearward movement relative to the sameand adapted to grip a central portion of said carton blank adjacent therear edge thereof, means for connecting the suction cup to a source ofvacuum, cam means for moving the suction cup toward and away from saidmagazine and said movable lip into and out of its carton blanksupporting position, whereby as the suction cup moves toward themagazine the movable lip is withdrawn and as the suction cup moves awayfrom the magazine the movable lip is returned, and cam means for movingthe suction cup forwardly and rearwardly and moving said fingers intoand out of their carton blank engaging positions, whereby the fingersare moved into carton blank engaging positions when the movable lip iswithdrawn and are moved out of their carton blank engaging positionsafter the movable lip is returned to its carton blank engaging position,and whereby the suction cup is subsequently moved rearwardly to withdrawthe front edge of said carton blank from said fixed ledge.

8. In a carton blank feeding machine, a magazine, a fixed ledge adaptedto contact and support the forward edge of a carton blank in saidmagazine, a movable lip adapted to contact and support the rear edge ofsaid carton blank, a pair of carton blank engaging fingers adapted to berotated into engagement with said carton blank on opposite sides of saidmovable lip, a pair of carton blank advancing chains mounted adjacentsaid magazine for movement laterally thereof, a plurality of cartonengaging lugs on said chains in opposed relation with each other, asuction cup mounted for movement toward and away from said magazine andfor forward and rearward movement relative thereto and adapted to gripthe central portion of the rear edge of said carton blank, means forconnecting the suction cup to a source of vacuum, cam means for movingthe suction cup toward and away from the magazine and said movable lipinto and out of its carton blank supporting position, whereby as thesuction cup moves toward the magazine the movable lip is withdrawn andas the suction cup moves away from the magazine the movable lip isreturned, and cams means for moving the suction cup forwardly andrearwardly and moving said fingers into and out of their carton blankengaging positions, whereby the fingers are moved into carton blankengaging positions when the movable lip is withdrawn and are moved outof their carton blank engaging positions after the movable lip isreturned to its carton blank engaging position, and whereby the suctioncup is subsequently moved rearwardly to withdraw the front edge of saidcarton blank from said fixed ledge and engage the rear edge of saidcarton blank with a pair of the lugs on said chains.

9. In a carton blank feeding machine, a magazine, a fixed ledge adaptedto contact and support the forward edge of a carton blank in saidmagazine, a movable lip adapted to contact and support the rear edge ofsaid carton blank, a pair of carton blank engaging fingers adapted to berotated into engagement with said carton blank on opposite sides of saidmovable lip, a pair of carton blank advancing chains adjacent saidmagazine and moving laterally thereof, a plurality of carton blankengaging lugs on said chains in opposed relation with each other, asuction cup mounted for movement toward and away from the magazine andfor forward and rearward movement relative thereto and adapted to grip acentral portion of said initial carton blank adjacent the rear edgethereof, means for connecting the suction cup to a source of vacuum, cammeans for moving the suction cup toward and away from the magazine andthe movable lip into and out of its carton blank supporting position,whereby as the suction cup moves toward the magazine the movable lip iswithdrawn and as the suction cup moves away from the magazine themovable lip is returned, cam means for moving the suction cup forwardlyand rearwardly and moving said fingers into and out of their cartonblank engaging positions, whereby said fingers are moved into cartonblank engaging positions when said movable lip is withdrawn and aremoved out of their carton blank engaging positions after said movablelip is returned to its carton blank engaging position, and whereby saidsuction cups are subsequently moved rearwardly to withdraw the frontedge of said carton blank from said fixed ledge and engage the rear edgeof said carton blank with an opposed pair of lugs on said chains, andmeans for releasing the vacuum in said suction cup and venting the sameto atmosphere when the rear edge of said carton blank engages said lugs.

10. In a carton blank feeding machine, a magazine a fixed ledge adaptedto contact and support the forward edge of a carton blank in saidmagazine, a movable lip adapted to support the rear edge of said cartonblank, a pair of carton engaging fingers adapted to be rotated intoengagement with said initial carton blank on opposite sides of saidmovable lip, a pair of carton blank advancing chains adjacent saidmagazine and moving laterally thereof, a plurality of carton blankengaging lugs on said chains in opposed relation with each other, saidlugs each having a forwardly projecting nose portion, a suction cupmounted for movement toward and away from said magazine and for forwardand rearward movement relative to said magazine and adapted to grip acentral portion of said carton blank adjacent the rear edge thereof,means for connecting said suction cup to a source of vacuum, cam meansfor moving said suction cup toward and away from said magazine and saidmovable lip into and out of its carton blank supporting position,whereby as said suction cup moves toward said magazine said movable lipis withdrawn and as said suction cup moves away from said magazine saidmovable lip is returned, cam means for moving said suction cup forwardlyand rearwardly and moving said fingers into and out of their cartonblank engaging positions, whereby said fingers are moved into cartonblank engaging positions when said movable lip is withdrawn and aremoved out of their carton blank engaging positions after said movablelip is returned to its carton blank engaging position, and whereby saidsuction cups are subsequently moved rearwardly to withdraw the frontedge of said carton blank from said fixed ledge and engage the rear edgeof said carton blank beneath the nose portions of an opposed pair oflugs on said chains, and cam controlled valve means for releasing thevacuum in said suction cups and venting the same to atmosphere when therear edge of said carton blank engages said lugs.

11. In a carton blank feeding machine, a magazine, a movable gatemechanism for controlling release of carton blanks from said magazinecomprising, a movable lip adapted to engage the central portion of therear edge of the leading carton blank in said magazine, a pair offingers adapted to be rotated into engagement with the end portions ofthe rear edge of said leading carton blank, means for rotating saidfingers into engagement with said leading carton blank, and means forretracting said movable lip, and means adapted to contact and grip thecentral portion of the rear edge of said leading carton blank and towithdraw said central portion past said movable lip, said retractingmeans for said movable lip being effective to return said movable liptoinsert the same between the central portion of the rear edge of saidleading carton blank and the rear edge of the next succeeding cartonblank in said magazine, said means for rotating said fingers beingefiective to retract the same subsequently to the return of said movablelip.

12. In a carton blank feeding machine, a magazine, a movable gatemechanism for controlling release of carton blanks from said magazinecomprising, a movable lip adjacent one side of said magazine adapted toengage the central portion of the rear edge of the leading carton blankin said magazine, a pair of fingers mounted for rotation about an axisadjacent said one side of the magazine and adapted to be rotated intoengagement with the end portions of the said edge of the leading cartonblank, means for rotating said fingers into engagement with said leadingcarton blank, and means for retracting the movable lip, means adapted tocontact and grip the central portion of said edge of the leading cartonblank and to withdraw said central portion past the retracted movablelip, said retracting means for the movable lip being effective to returnthe movable lip to insert the same between the central portion of saidedge of said leading carton blank and the corresponding edge of the nextsucceeding carton blank in the magazine, said means for rotating saidfingers being effective to retract the same subsequently to the returnof said movable lip.

13. In a carton blank feeding machine, a magazine, a movable gatemechanism for controlling release of carton blanks from the magazinecomprising, a movable lip adapted to engage the leading carton blank insaid magazine, a pair of fingers adapted to be moved into engagementwith the leading carton blank on opposite sides of the movable lip,means for moving said fingers into engagement with the leading cartonblank, and means for retracting the movable lip, and means adapted tocontact and grip the leading carton blank and to withdraw a portionthereof past the retracted movable lip, said retracting means beingeffective to return the movable lip to insert the same between theleading carton blank and the next succeeding carton blank in themagazine, said means for rotating said fingers being effective toretract the same subsequently to the return of said movable lip.

14. In a carton blank feeding machine, a magazine adapted to contain astack of folded carton blanks, means for advancing the stack of blanksin the magazine, means for bowing one edge of the leading blank in saidstack forward to develop a space between said one edge of said leadingblank and the next succeeding blank, a detent movably mounted adjacentthe magazine adjacent said one edge, means for moving the detent intosaid space, and mean engageable with said leading blank to propel thesame away from the magazine while the next succeeding blank isimmobilized by the detent.

15. In a carton blank feeding machine, a magazine adapted to contain astack of folded carton blanks, means for advancing the stack of blanksin the magazine, two detents mounted at opposite sides of the magazineand projecting thereinto to arrest advance of said stack, one of saiddetents being movable to and from arresting position, means forretracting said movable detent, means for howing the edge of the leadingblank in the stack adjacent said movable detent forward to develop aspace between said edge of said leading blank and the next succeedingblank, said detent retracting means being effective to return themovable detent to its arresting position to thrust it into said spacesubsequently to operation of said bowing means, and means engageablewith the bowed leading blank to pull the same out of engagement with theother of said detents.

16. In a carton blank feeding machine, a magazine for receiving a stackof carton blanks, a first stack repressing means, a second stackrepressing means, means for actuating said first and second stackrepressing means into repressing relation with one of said carton blanksat an end of said stack, means for exerting a pull on said one cartonblank in a direction away from the remainder of the stack and at a pointspaced from one of said repressing means, means operative while saidpull is being exerted for withdrawing the other of said repressing meansto enable said pull exerting means to flex said one carton blank awayfrom the next adjacent one of the carton blanks and for inserting saidother repressing means into the space thus developed between said onecarton blank and said next adjacent carton blank, and means operativesubsequently to insertion of said other repressing means into said spacefor withdrawing said one repressing means from repressing relation withsaid one carton blank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re.21,489 Kleineberg et al June 25, 1940 907,944 Abrams Dec. 29, 1908955,112 Abrams Apr. 12, 1910 1,033,232 Cox July 23, 1912 1,982,823Meredith Dec. 4, 1934

